Split earlobes are a common secondary deformity of the ear. Numerous techniques have been described to repair a traumatic split earlobe and break the linear scar. However, most of the techniques require elevation of additional flaps from normal surrounding tissue and sacrifice healthy tissue from small earlobes. The authors used epithelialised scar tissue from the margins of the split earlobe to elevate two equilateral triangular flaps of about 5mm in size. The flaps were turned 90 degrees and inset into a fish-mouth incision at the margin of the split earlobe. One flap was anterior and the other was inset posterior. With this method, tissue from the margin is saved to elongate and break the linear scar of the earlobe. Twelve cases of secondary split earlobe were repaired with this technique. After follow-up of 3-24 months, there was no scar contracture or notching of the lower border of the earlobe. This paper contributes to the literature on split ear lobe repair, with an elegant technique.
Traumatic split earlobe repair using double triangular skin flaps
Reviewed by Aina Greig
Traumatic cleft earlobe repair using double triangular flap from epithelialized skin of cleft margin.
